SANDY, Utah - The Utah Royals will have to wait another week before clinching their first playoff appearance in franchise history after falling 2-0 to Kansas City Current on Saturday.
Current forward Haley Hopkins opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a headed effort off a corner kick that appeared to come off her hand. Hopkins earned a brace to seal the win for Kansas City in second-half stoppage time, slotting home the cutback pass from Temwa Chawinga.
But while the Royals left America First Field without a goal, they weren’t without their chances.
Brecken Mozingo nearly found the first goal of the game early on after some chaos within the Kansas City penalty area, and CeCe Delzer almost came close to finding an equalizer with a near-perfect header that ended wide of the post in the second half.
Royals defender Kate Del Fava said the team felt they were just inches off in the final third and were punished for it by Kansas City.
“I think if you take away the goals, we’re the better team. But, unfortunately, that’s what counts, especially at this point of the season,” said Del Fava. “Teams that finish and can execute are the teams that are going to end up winning a championship, and we want that to be us.”
Head Coach Jimmy Coenraets said the team was only together for one full day between the international break and Saturday’s match - but even with only one day to share the game plan, he felt the team executed the plan well.
“I think we showed up as the Royals today; we almost got a good result against a team that is good. A team that has been doing well and has scored eight goals - nine goals in the previous two games? - I think we did well, and we don’t have to be afraid of anything or anyone. It’s just being us,” said Coenraets
With the result and other results around the league, the Royals drop to 6th in the NWSL (14-4-10), six points clear of the playoff line.
The Utah Royals will fight for another chance to clinch a playoff berth in their final regular-season home match against Seattle Reign FC on Friday, Oct. 23, at America First Field.